Abstract:
The study focused on investigation of COVID-19 risk communication on the adoption of protective health behaviors among the youth living in informal settlements. The objectives of the study were; to investigate the perceived adoption of government risk communication on the COVID-19 pandemic on protective health behaviors and to examine different channels of communication the government considered in formulating COVID-19 prevention measures and messages to the youth in informal settlements in Nairobi County as well as to explore the perceptions of the youth in Kibra on risk communication approaches taken by the government to deal with COVID-19 and lastly to determine the challenges of implementing risk communications on adoption behaviors among the youth in Kibra.
The findings of this study would help stakeholders in the health sector in designing ways on how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic through effective communication. The study utilized a case study research design, and its target population were 1200 youths living in Kibra. A sample of 80 participants was selected through purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using focus group discussions and in depth interviews and were analyzed using thematic analysis approach. The study found that the youth adopted the recommended COVID-19 protective measures to slow down the infection rates by avoiding unnecessary travel, washing hands more frequently, avoiding crowded places, and wearing protective masks. The main channels of communication that the government used in formulating COVID-19 prevention measures and messages were social media, newspapers, television programs and healthcare workers. Further, it was found that some participants believed misinformation associated with COVID-19 infection such as; that COVID-19 does not affect young people, that the illness does not exist, or that the pandemic has already ended. The challenges faced in implementing risk communications on adoptive behaviors included lack of protective gear against COVID-19 including gloves, masks, water, soap, and hand sanitizers. Some participants admitted that they did not always wash hands with soap and water more since they could not afford extra water or there was no water in the community or in the house. Nearly all participants claimed that it had been difficult to follow safety precautions because they were unfamiliar with the proper use of masks, hand washing methods, and social distancing.
